Mine comes in at just over the 2000kg mark - when empty!
kernowdragon
Well-Known Member
Once fitted to a vehicle an A-frame effectively becomes a trailer. Maximum unbraked trailer weight is 750kg, therefore a combined vehicle/A-frame weight of over 750kg must be braked. This is why 750kg is the maximum combined weight allowable for a runabout car towed behind a motor home, unless the braking systems are linked.
There is a small degree of latitude shown where an A-frame is being used to recover a vehicle to the 'nearest' place of safety.
Law also says where a trailer has a braking system it must work, therefore as a car/A-frame combo is defined as a trailer and the car is fitted with brakes they must work in conjunction with the tractors brakes.
There's more here: UKMotorhomes.net - A Frame towing
kernowdragon
Well-Known Member
According to my owners manual, YES the prop must be removed where the vehicle is to be towed with two wheels off the ground, or transfer neutral selected if all 4 wheels on the ground.
Technically...yes...you can tow that way with prop on.....BUT puts tremendous strain on transfer box, front diff, etc. Warning label on mine says don't exceed 10mph and/or further than 1 mile without removing prop shaft.
Pikey
Dummy Ejection Facilitator..
when a vehicle is turning the outer wheels have to spin faster then the inner wheels as they are describing a larger circle if the wheels were locked so that they couldn't slip or turn at different speeds then you would only be able to drive in a straight line.
kernowdragon
Well-Known Member
Lazy f**kers, whats wrong with diving underneath and doing it properly
Seriously the last RAC guy I had out knew nothing about engaging transfer neutral before attempting to tow me off m/way
Langers
Well-Known Member
Lazy f**kers, whats wrong with diving underneath and doing it properly
Yeah you have to be careful wi that, they're usually good mechanics but probably more used to dealing with Mondeos than tratters!
OK guys as a recovery mechanic for the army for 5 years let me clear a few things up:
1. You SHOULD remove the prop shaft when towing a landy at an angle (support tow, Dolly or Spec Lift) because of splash lubrication in the transfer box and wear and tear on the centre diff. This goes for most trucks, coaches etc.
2. If you tow with all four wheels on the ground (A Frame or Hollibones) there is no need to touch the props but you SHOULD observe a low speed (20kph off the top of my head) due to the fact that you have an unbraked casualty.
3. A landy is over 750kgs so must have brakes if it is to be towed for transport. This means it needs to be on a trailer. You would then have to ensure the all up weight is less than the Maximum Authorised Mass on the Plate.
4. You can have it on hollibones/a frame in order to evacuate it to the next safest place for it to be loaded properly. You cannot just travel with it in that state. Hard shoulder to services etc would be reasonable.
5. You must ensure you have appropriate lights displayed on the back and a board which states 'on tow' and the tractor vehicles registration.
6. Remember you need B+E or C1+E catagories (depending on weight) on your licence.
Basically mate get a trailer like the rest of us have too! Also remember to load the rover balanced because being under weight is one thing but you can easily overload an axle on the landy or trailer and VOSA will still come down heavily on you. Under new transport regs any new vehicle over 3.5T MAM needs to have a tacho so be ready to prove you are not using it commercially.
Any probs just ask.
Dave
1. You SHOULD remove the prop shaft when towing a landy at an angle (support tow, Dolly or Spec Lift) because of splash lubrication in the transfer box and wear and tear on the centre diff. This goes for most trucks, coaches etc.
2. If you tow with all four wheels on the ground (A Frame or Hollibones) there is no need to touch the props but you SHOULD observe a low speed (20kph off the top of my head) due to the fact that you have an unbraked casualty.
3. A landy is over 750kgs so must have brakes if it is to be towed for transport. This means it needs to be on a trailer. You would then have to ensure the all up weight is less than the Maximum Authorised Mass on the Plate.
4. You can have it on hollibones/a frame in order to evacuate it to the next safest place for it to be loaded properly. You cannot just travel with it in that state. Hard shoulder to services etc would be reasonable.
5. You must ensure you have appropriate lights displayed on the back and a board which states 'on tow' and the tractor vehicles registration.
6. Remember you need B+E or C1+E catagories (depending on weight) on your licence.
Basically mate get a trailer like the rest of us have too! Also remember to load the rover balanced because being under weight is one thing but you can easily overload an axle on the landy or trailer and VOSA will still come down heavily on you. Under new transport regs any new vehicle over 3.5T MAM needs to have a tacho so be ready to prove you are not using it commercially.
Any probs just ask.
Dave
